order of subjects & grouping subjects together

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  • morgrace
    Participant

    I’m on the last step of planning for next year, we wil be transitioning to doing morning schoolwork with a toddler (my preschooler already joins in or occupies herself). I found LOTS of great ideas for occupying the toddler – thank you to everyone!!! But for my son (7), who is actually doing the schoolwork, I could use some suggestions on the order of subjects. Right now we follow the same order daily (except the day I work, that day is short) and I tried to vary the subjects for him, we also move from the couch to table and back, which helps him – since he seems to need to physically move. But doesn’t seem like it is going to work with the toddler? Too much up and down? How would I train the toddler to sit still when we’re all moving?

    Here’s our current schedule & location (we’re closing in on the end of the year and have finished all the picture study, poetry, music study I planned).

    Scripture Memory (during breakfast)
    Narration (couch)
    Copywork (table)
    Bible/History/Geography (couch)
    French (kitchen cd player)
    Math (table)
    Science (couch)
    Science paper, he draws something from the lesson (table) while preschooler & Mom read
    Reading (couch)
    Literature & picture book for preschooler (couch) 

    Thoughts anyone? Thanks!!

    JenniferM
    Participant

    Hey Morgrace!

    I have a 7 year old this year, too.  Your plan looks good.  If it becomes too up and down for you, you could always stay at one location through 2 subjects before moving.  

    I also have a 5 year old this year, and our “schedule” basically will be like this:

    All together

    2nd grade work with Mom/Kindergarten activity time

    Kindergarten work with Mom/2nd grade independent work

    All together

    2nd grade work with Mom/Kindergarten activity time

    Kindergarten work with Mom/2nd grade independent work

    Poetry (together)

    This keeps things flowing but I can choose which subject based on individual needs for the day.  Also, I will save literature for after lunch.  We have traditionally had storytime in early afternoon since I brought my babies home from the hospital, so it just makes sense to continue that tradition with our Literature.

    Have a great school year!!  (When will you start?)

    JenniferM
    Participant

    You could have an activity box or shelf for your toddler to use only during school time.  Last year, I did not require “school work” for my 4 year old, but he did have to remain in the same room we were in.   He usually built with blocks or legos.  Sometimes he looked at books or did puzzles.  Sometimes he just tried to wrestle with the dog…  It will never be as neat and tidy as it looks on paper (or computer screen) but it does help to have a plan.  Smile

    morgrace
    Participant

    Gee, I have no idea why I didn’t think we could just stay put for two subjects in a row without moving! Who knows why I’ve been thinking I have to re-invent the wheel? Thanks!! I’ll leave it as it is and add back in picture study, poetry etc for next year, and taking a leaf from your book (how you alternate working with each child), I’ll have my 7 and 4 yr old take turns playing with the toddler while I do school with the one of them. My 4 year old turns 5 this fall and decided she wanted to learn how to read this spring. So we’ve started Delightful Reading. She started off last Sept. playing in the same room, like yours, but has since joined in pretty much everything. Thanks for the help, I agree life doesn’t look as neat and tidy on paper, but I need some kind of plan and didn’t want to try out schedules like trying on shoes for the first few weeks of school – so thanks again! (We start next year at the beginning of September. We go year-round, so we’re on the last couple weeks of the current year and then have a nice break in August. When do you start?)

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